Kitt O’Malley

Spring is REALLY LOUD

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Common yellowthroat Credit: George Gentry/USFWS
Common yellowthroat
Credit: George Gentry/USFWS

Springtime can trigger seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in both those with depression and bipolar disorder. For those of us with bipolar disorder, SAD can trigger mania and hypomania. The stressors of these changes contributed to my psychiatric hospitalization a decade ago.

As spring has approached and the days have lengthened, I have had mild symptoms of hypomania, including insomnia, which I addressed with my psychiatrist by reducing my SSRI dose. We left my dosage of divalproex (Depakote) the same. Initially, we tried halving my dose of the SSRI escitalopram (Lexapro) to 2.5 mg for six days, with the intent of removing the SSRI altogether. But I found myself unable to stay awake during the daytime, so I remain on 2.5 mg.

To me, spring is a cacophony of noises accompanying the frenzy of renewed life. The days are longer. The birds build nests and make it known loudly and clearly with their calls that they are mating and starting anew. All that springtime bursting and bustling of new life, is stimulating, and for me, overstimulating.

Comments

42 responses to “Spring is REALLY LOUD”

  1. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you for linking to my post.

  2. Spring is REALLY LOUD | All Things Chronic

    […] http://kittomalley.com/2015/03/13/spring-is-really-loud/ […]

  3. Passed My SSDI Review (Whew!) – Kitt O'Malley

    […] Spring triggers hypomania and agitation in me. As many of my readers already know, one spring over twenty years ago, tricyclic antidepressant misuse, seasonal affective disorder, and underlying undiagnosed bipolar disorder resulted in a week-long manic psychotic break. […]

  4. Indah Susanti Avatar
    Indah Susanti

    You made my day, Kitt! And thank you for always providing valuable information to the ones in need! Best wishes 🙂

  5. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you, Indah. If I need an emotional boost, I’ll look at your gorgeous photos. Nature’s beauty is always uplifting. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.

  6. Indah Susanti Avatar
    Indah Susanti

    My thoughts with you Kitt..I hope the medication change will goes well..virtual hugs from Rotterdam <3

  7. Sean Mungin Avatar
    Sean Mungin

    🙂

  8. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Welcome.

  9. stockdalewolfe Avatar
    stockdalewolfe

    Thank you very much, Kitt. Likewise!

  10. Sean Mungin Avatar
    Sean Mungin

    Wow! Thanks for the information as always!

  11. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    I’m doing well so far. Halving my SSRI helped. I do hope and pray that your warmer spring weather brings health and vibrancy to you and yours.

  12. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    I suppose it may differ from individual to individual. Ask your pdoc if you are experiencing SAD symptoms. I must have my meds changed seasonally.

  13. stockdalewolfe Avatar
    stockdalewolfe

    Thank you, Kitt. After this winter I am happy for warmer weather. It was so cold here and husband sick for so long. Maybe Spring will bring the charm. Hope you stay even and all works out.

  14. Sean Mungin Avatar
    Sean Mungin

    Oh my! Does this affect last long? Or is it in the initial stages of the change in seasons?

  15. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Yes, you are so right. Thank you.

  16. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    It has been hot today and yesterday – REALLY hot – here.

  17. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you for pointing that out, Ellen. Intriguing how individuals vary. Perhaps some day we will know why. So sorry about your manic break. Hope you are doing well now. I know that this has been a very difficult winter for you and your husband. I hope that this Spring doesn’t depress you.

  18. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    The tropics are quite different than Belgium! Easier on one’s moods, too, for day and night hours and seasons do not vary as dramatically, or if you live on the equator, not at all.

  19. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    I can totally relate even though our seasonal changes are not nearly as dramatic as changes in Canada. Yes – SAD includes hypomania/mania in spring. Hospitalizations rise.

  20. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Yup. I’m holed up in our bedroom, limiting my interaction with my husband and son.

  21. Laura Droege Avatar
    Laura Droege

    Totally understand. Spring and fall are my most unstable times. If I’m going to have a breakdown, it will be in March/April/May or September/October. I’ve read that suicide rates peak in May in the Northern Hemisphere, with a lesser peak in September; in the southern hemisphere, it’s apparently the opposite (highest peak in Sept., 2nd peak in May). So it is vital for those of us with these issues to be aware, take our meds, and keep our eyes open for others who might be in mentally precarious places.

  22. dyane Avatar
    dyane

    XOXOXO It was in the 70’s yesterday and I did love it! The mornings are still cold, though. So weird!!!

  23. stockdalewolfe Avatar
    stockdalewolfe

    Just want to add that some people have reverse SAD. They get depressed in Spring and Summer and manic in Fall and winter. I used to be one of them but since I now equate winter with illness and danger (driving in snow, etc.) perhaps it will be different. My manic break happened on Nov. 2nd.

  24. Marie Abanga Avatar
    Marie Abanga

    Oh my, while I am here wishing that this depressing winter season gives way fast? Maybe because I am from the tropics. All the winters I have spent here have dealt with my psychic. I just wish you all the best; my lady and Kitt dearest 🙂

  25. La Sabrosona Avatar
    La Sabrosona

    I’ve been riding the wave since signs of spring have appeared. I’ve been absolutely and unequivocally hypomanic, getting quite “high” actually. It feels really good after being in a funk all winter. The danger is in obsessive compulsive behaviour, shirking my house duties and being in my own little world as thoughts race incessantly.

    Sticking to a routine is important to not get “carried away”. Thanks for the post. Also had no idea that SAD included springtime hypomania/mania.

  26. Sandy Sue Avatar
    Sandy Sue

    Yep, me, too. The loud thing is real for me. I want my windows open, but all the motorcycles! And the people driving by who have to share their bass-driven music! My hypomanic symptoms are lots of irritation, agitation, anger. Ugh. This is Bitch Season for me.

  27. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    The thing is for those of us with bipolar, we can get hypomanic or manic when the days get longer. Not everyone with bipolar, but those affected by sunlight. We experience seasonal mood shifts more than others.

  28. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    Seeing as this is my first year as a Bipolar-ite, I never really thought of Spring causing SAD. Usually it’s one of my favourite times of year (Fall being the other), but I definitely have noticed a bit of a shift this year. Interesting.

  29. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thanks.

  30. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you, e!

  31. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thanks, Krystal aka Manic Monique.

  32. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thanks.

  33. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thanks, Dy.

  34. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you.

  35. Just Plain Ol' Vic Avatar
    Just Plain Ol’ Vic

    It is interesting that you always assume depression (or SAD) comes with winter, but not always so. Thanks again for educating me a bit more and giving me some alternative perspective on things!

  36. e Avatar
    e

    I learn so much from you Kitt.

  37. krystal26 Avatar
    krystal26

    Yes! I totally feel what you have written here. I don’t typically get depressed during the winter, but all my manias have happened during the spring/summer time (April to June). I hope that you get your hypomanic symptoms under control.

    ~Krystal (Manic Monique)

  38. bpnurse Avatar
    bpnurse

    I like the way you characterize Spring as “loud”. It’s definitely stimulating! I’m not quite hypomanic but oh so close, and have been since the weather got warm and sunny. Thank God for the slew of meds I’m on or I’d be dancing on the mountains of the moon by now. Hope your med adjustment works well for you!

  39. dyane Avatar
    dyane

    I’m feeling the shift too. I’m trying to get more sleep, continue with daily exercise, and keep up with mundane daily tasks (laundry, dishes, bills etc.) so I don’t become more overwhelmed. The time change really messed with me. :0 Makes me want to move to Hawaii, where they don’t observe it!

    I also hope your med changes settle and that you feel less stimulated in the coming weeks.
    I love the picture of the Common yellowthroat!

  40. cavellemartin Avatar
    cavellemartin

    Love the sounds of Spring but it can be kind of overwhelming…the birds…so many birds lol. I hope everything goes well with your medication change. 🙂

  41. Kitt O'Malley Avatar
    Kitt O’Malley

    Thank you.

  42. stockdalewolfe Avatar
    stockdalewolfe

    Good luck with the med adjustments!

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